The theme of Eatonville's float this was year was "Alfred in Wonderland" paying homage to the popular King Alfred Daffodil.

Cast of Characters...

     Alice...Amanda Randolph - 6 years old - Kindergarten Eatonville Elementary
     Butterfly...Hailey Banford  - 5 yrs. old
     King...Larry Banford
     Tweedle Dum...Emily Randolph - 5th grade EES
     Tweedle Dee...Josie Lamoth - 5th grader EES
     Queen of Hearts...Cheyenne Splan - Senior Eatonville High School
     Rabbit...Lilly Cleek - EEH
     Card soldier...Austin Roberts  EEH
     Card Soldier...Billy Early  EEH
     Mad Hatter...Rick Peterson
     Sign carrier...Holly Rettinger

Perfect Day for the Parade...

      by Carol Slevett

      It was just the perfect day for the parade. The float played a variety of music from Disney's Alice in Wonderland which was acted out by each of the characters. We put on quite a show for the audience. 
     The theme of the parade was "Remembering Your First Daffodil Parade." We chose the theme from the first Daffodil Parade that had a theme...1954. The theme was "Alfred in Wonderland."
     The King Alfred Daffodil is the Daffodil that is used on the floats and is the King of all the Daffodils. Alice in Wonderland was a huge Disney hit movie so I suppose that's how they came up with "Alfred in Wonderland". Our float was a huge hit with the crowd, young and old alike. The float was beautiful and the characters really brought it to life. 
      The picture of Cheyenne was taken in Tacoma where she was acting out the part of the Queen and admonishing her cards for painting her roses red. She did an awesome job. Our rabbit, Lilly, ran around the float when the music played "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date." 
      Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum danced through all of the parades acting the part and the crowds loved them. The Mad Hatter raised his hat and showed the birthday cake underneath. Of course, everyone was excited to spot Alice, the King and the Butterfly on the float and the card guards  played their roles just like in the movie. 
      A special thanks to Holly Rettinger for carrying the Eatonville sign and for also helping with the float preparations. A great time was had by all and the town of Eatonville should be very proud of our float and cast.
     A huge thanks to Cyndy Simianer who stepped up and made the float happen again this year. Not only did she plan it, she made most of the costumes, arranged the music, organized the characters, bought the decorations for the float and decorated it.
    Cyndy and Mark Splan worked very hard to make the float happen and they did a beautiful job. Thanks to them we will have a princess again next year.
 

More Daffodil Parade Scenes
Photos by Lucy Schilter-McKee

       Lucy Shilter-McKee, mother of 2008 princess Kate McKee, exlains : "Sean Andrascik, Kate's escort as he walked with Daffodil President Ron Simchen through all four towns! Sean wore his letterman's jacket and represented Eatonville so well.
     "Simchen asked all the escorts to walk with him in the parade, and Sean was one of only four who took him up on his offer to walk through all four towns with him!
     "The beautiful float theme was: "Alfred in Wonderland" in reference to the King Alfred daffodil! What a original idea! It looked gorgeous! Thanks to all the hard work of Cyndy Simianer and her float crew!!"

 

Past Princess and Future Princess?

     Karly McKee, Eatonville Daffodil Princess in 2005, holding Ruby Ida Skelton, born February 18th, at her first Daffodil Parade. She is the daughter of Katie Karlin Skelton, 1997 Eatonville Daffodil Princess.

This year's Daffodil Princess Kate McKee rode on the Queen's Float

     The band looked and sounded great. There were so many comments complimenting the band uniforms!!